This content is unavailable. Please contact customer service for more information.
Already a subscriber? Login or Activate your account.
You've reached the end of the standard E-Edition.
This content is unavailable. Please contact customer service for more information.
Messenger
AlertTop Story
FDTC secures accreditation through 2036 by SACSCOC
Special to The Morning News
Florence-Darlington Technical College announced that it has officially been reaffirmed for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges through 2036.
Reaffirmation by SACSCOC recognizes an institution's commitment to academic quality, institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement.
McLeod Health has contributed $75,000 to Florence-Darlington Technical College to support their nursing program, recognizing the increasing ne…
The reaffirmation process is a comprehensive review that evaluates every aspect of a college's operations to ensure it meets the Commission's rigorous standards for higher education.
"This reaffirmation is a tremendous accomplishment for our college and a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff and administrators," Interim FDTC President Dr. Debbie Cheek said. "Over the past several years, our employees have worked collaboratively to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and to ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education and support services. This achievement belongs to the entire FDTC family."
Vice President of Finance and Administration at FDTC Dr. Debbie Cheek has been named interim president for the college following the former pr…
The successful reaffirmation ensures that FDTC remains accredited through SACSCOC, providing continued assurance to students, employers, and the community that the college meets nationally recognized standards of quality. Accreditation also allows eligible students to continue accessing federal financial aid and supports the transferability and recognition of academic credentials.
While reaffirmation marks the successful completion of a multi-year effort, the college views it as another step in FDTC's ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
FDTC President Dr. Jermaine Ford has submitted his resignation to the Area Commission. The college plans on naming an interim president.
"As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission of transforming lives through education," Cheek said. "We will continue building on this success by seeking new opportunities to serve our students, strengthen our programs, and support the workforce needs of our region."
Explore jobs least likely to be replaced by AI, including healthcare, skilled trades, education and more.
Education
Top StorySpotlight
Darlington County School District inducts six into Hall of Fame
Special to The Morning News
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Darlington County School District inducted six distinguished alumni and educators into the 2026 DCSD Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at Watson Theater on the campus of Coker University.
The event brought together inductees, family members, former students, colleagues, community leaders and supporters to celebrate the accomplishments and legacies of individuals whose leadership and service have positively impacted Darlington County and beyond.
Honorees and family members gather for a group photo during the
Darlington County School District’s 2026 Hall of Fame Induction
Ceremony in June. Pictured are, from left, Wanda Hassler,
Darlington County Board of Education Chair; Tyler Holloway,
grandchild of Annie Mae Peterson; Patricia Ann “Pat” Hewitt; Dr.
Alvin Heatley; Robin Tucker, daughter of Jimmy Newsom; Former Gov.
David Beasley; Denise Turner, daughter of Jimmy Newsom; Elizabeth
“Scottie” Hill; Dr. Matthew Ferguson, DCSD superintendent.
SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
Former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley, a 1975 graduate of Lamar High School and one of this year's inductees, delivered a keynote address reflecting on the importance of education, service and remaining connected to one's roots.
Drawing from his experiences in public service, including his leadership of the United Nations World Food Programme during its 2020 Nobel Peace Prize recognition, Beasley encouraged attendees to pursue lives of purpose and to use their talents to serve others.
Unemployment rates were up for Pee Dee counties in May, according to S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce data released June 23.Florenc…
“This year’s inductees remind us of the power of each. Each life represented here has touched countless others through service, leadership and a commitment to making their communities better. Their accomplishments are impressive, but their impact on people is their true legacy,” Darlington County School District Superintendent Dr. Matthew Ferguson said.
“Their stories remind us that excellence begins here in Darlington County—in our schools, our communities, and in the people who choose to make a difference. We are proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals and the example they provide for our students, staff and community,” he said.
Darlington leaders celebrated breaking ground on what will be the new African American Museum located in the heart of the historic downtown on…
The 2026 Hall of Fame class includes:
• Gov. David Beasley – Former governor of South Carolina and former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, whose leadership earned international recognition and helped guide the organization through some of the world's most significant humanitarian crises. Beasley is a 1975 graduate of Lamar High.
• Dr. Alvin Heatley – A lifelong educator and community leader whose career spanned nearly four decades in education, including service as a district coach, teacher, principal and district administrator in Darlington County School District as well as an advocate for children and families through Head Start and community action programs. Heatley is a 1956 graduate of Butler High School.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation shifted traffic on McIver Road in Darlington County on Tuesday.
• Patricia Ann “Pat” Hewitt – A beloved Hartsville High School graduate, educator and coach who devoted 42 years to mentoring students and building championship athletic programs while earning state and national honors for excellence in teaching and coaching.
• Elizabeth “Scottie” Hill – A social worker, advocate and nonprofit founder whose career has focused on serving children, families and vulnerable communities, including her work with the CDC/NIOSH World Trade Center Medical Program. She founded the Trent Hill Center for Children and Families and the Hartsville Dementia Support Group. Hill is a 1996 graduate of Hartsville High School.
• Jimmy Howard Newsom (posthumously) – A respected educator and superintendent whose nearly 50 years of service to Darlington County schools included guiding communities through integration, expanding educational opportunities and championing teacher leadership.
• Annie Mae Peterson (posthumously) – An influential educator and administrator who served Hartsville students for three decades as a teacher, principal of Butler Elementary School and founding principal of Washington Street Elementary School, where she helped shape generations of students through steady leadership and a deep commitment to learning. Mrs. Peterson was a graduate of Butler High School.
Established to recognize individuals who graduated from or served in Darlington County schools and who have made significant contributions through their professions, leadership, and service, the DCSD Hall of Fame honors those whose achievements continue to inspire future generations.
Teachers at Alexandria City High School in Virginia use civics education to restore young people’s faith in democracy in politically divided America.
Business
Top StorySpotlight
McLeod opens occupational health facility in Hartsville
Emmy Ribero
Local leaders for McLeod and Hartsville gathered to celebrate
the opening of the Hartsville Occupational Health
facility.
Provided
McLeod opened an Occupational Health facility located 963 West
Carolina Avenue in Hartsville.
Provided
HARTSVILLE, S.C. -- A McLeod Occupational Health facility has opened in Hartsville to help employers meet work-related health care needs, including preventive and safety measures as well as treatment of work-related injuries.
McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence has launched a pediatric behavioral health crisis stabilization unit known as the Pediatric EmPATH …
"One of my favorite things about this is we will have, let's say, the power company," said Dr. Edwin Gandy, the medical director of McLeod Onsite Health. "These are young, healthy individuals for the most part. Now, this guy, for example, may have history of hypertension, but they don't always like to take the time off to go to get routine checks on that.”
By having a clinic on site, “we can help monitor his general health and make sure that they're keeping up with their health maintenance."
In the recent Democratic primary election in Darlington County, Antonio McFarland emerged as the winner for the District 2 council seat, secur…
The facility provides preventive care as well as treating injuries and other health care concerns, Gandy said.
"For instance, say you work in a plant that uses certain chemicals that have toxicity, and so we do things like monitor blood levels, look for signs and symptoms," Gandy said. "If you need a mask fitting because of the environment you're in, worker safety will go around with the plants, individuals, and look for areas where ergonomics may matter for repetitive injuries."
McLeod Health has contributed $75,000 to Florence-Darlington Technical College to support their nursing program, recognizing the increasing ne…
McLeod Occupational Health can provide care for work-related injuries, DOT and non-DOT physicals, firefighter physicals, immunizations, drug screenings and return-to-work assessments.
McLeod’s Occupational Health Hartsville has become its seventh occupational health "near-site" center, with locations in Cheraw, Carolina Forest, Sumter and three locations in Florence, according to Octavia Williams-Blake, chief human resources officer for McLeod Health, in a release about the opening.
McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence has launched a pediatric behavioral health crisis stabilization unit known as the Pediatric EmPATH …
McLeod has been providing occupational medicine services in the Pee Dee for more than 35 years, Williams-Blake said.
The facility has been seeing employer-referred patients for about three weeks. Tracy Stanton with McLeod marketing said they have been seeing patients with the City of Hartsville and City of Darlington so far.
In the recent Democratic primary election in Darlington County, Antonio McFarland emerged as the winner for the District 2 council seat, secur…
"I see a lot of these different clinics," Gandy said. "This is going to be great. This is going to be absolutely fantastic. So, you’ve got local people treating locals, dealing with local companies and their employees, and they love the town, they're dedicated to it."
McLeod Health has contributed $75,000 to Florence-Darlington Technical College to support their nursing program, recognizing the increasing ne…
The facility is located at 963 West Carolina Ave. in Hartsville.
Baseball
AlertTop StoryBreakingSpotlight
LAMAR HIGH BASEBALL
Adam Fedewa coached Lamar to share of region crown. Now, he's walking away
Scott Chancey
FLORENCE, S.C. -- Third-year coach Adam Fedewa coached the 2026 Lamar Silver Foxes to a share of the region championship.
Fedewa
FACEBOOK
Now, he's walking away.
Fedewa confirmed on Monday night that he resigned as the Silver Foxes' coach after guiding them to a 15-9 record this past spring. He wants to spend more time with family and watch more of his son, Greyson (7), playing sports.
"(Resigning) was a very hard decision to make," Fedewa said. "Lamar took a chance on me, and I'm forever grateful for that. But toward the end of the season, my son would have a match or meet or church event and things of that nature, and I'd be at practice or I'd be at a game. While coaching, I was 100% committed on the job and focused on it. But in the back of my mind, I'd be thinking, 'Gosh, I'm with somebody else's kids and I'm not with mine.' And I started to feel guilty about that."
Baseball had long been a part of Fedewa's life.
He had also served as pitching coach for Hartsville (2013-23) and Florence Post 1 (2021-25).
"I also took this summer off from Post 1. So, for the first time in 18-19 years, I'm absolutely baseball-free right now," he said.
Fedewa is still getting used to that.
"It's very different right now. But I have no regrets," said Fedewa, a physical education teacher at North Hartsville Elementary. "Everybody I've ever worked with or for has been fantastic to me and continues to be fantastic whether I'm in the dugout or not. I've been fortunate to make a lot of friends over the years."
Fedewa believes this past season at Lamar provided a foundation where a new coach would thrive.
"I feel like I left the program in good standing," Fedewa said. "I like where we're at right now. As for why I had success, it was about following the model from people that I learned from like (former Hartsville coach) Tony Gainey and (Florence Post 1 coach) Derick Urquhart -- two of the best to ever do it.
"And I also learned so much from Michael Rogers when I was an assistant under him when he coached Darlington," he added. "He was a great leader for me."
Fedewa then talked about why it was fun to coach Lamar.
"They were a lot of fun, and I had fun watching the players grow and evolve," Fedewa said. "They used to tell me I'm from the late 1990s, and that cracked me up. I've been really fortunate to be around not just good players but good kids."
Fedewa also appreciated help from outside the dugout.
"The support system around me was fantastic; my athletic director (Carlos Burgess) was tremendous all around," he said. "And Michelle Greene runs our Gamechanger. She's a teacher here and she's just tremendous.
"And (former Lamar A.D.) Alan Poole would often work on the field for me," he added. "Being part of an organization that has your back from Day 1 matters a lot."
Nowadays, Fedewa has settled in.
"I'm focused on being a dad first and not missing my son's games and activities," he said. "Wherever I'm supposed to be, I'll end up being there. So, I'm not too worried about tomorrow or what the future holds."
Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print.
You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it.
When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue.
Our Mid-Season Power Rankings! | 1142
Top 4 Jobs Least Likely To Be Replaced By AI (Human Skills Matter)
How civics education helps diffuse political tension in U.S. schools